Aranesp a common treatment for anemia?

Question

My doctor prescribed Aranesp for my anemia. This medicine costs over $1300 for a two month supply. Also, I will need to have lab workups every month, plus see the prescribing doctor every month. I feel as if he has gotten his clutches into me and I'll never get out.
If Aranesp is indeed what I need, fine. But another doctor says I don't need it right now.
I don't know what to do. My hemoglobin level is 10.3.

Answer 1

I copied the piece below from a web search. This is another brand of a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production called Erythropoetin. Patients with Kidney disease do not make erythropoetin. They end up being very anemic and they also tend to loose red blood cells if they are on hemodialysis. A double whammy - so they are are given products like this instead. It may be expensive but is much cheaper and safer than blood transfusions.
Other people besides Kidney patients may be given this product also. It really depends on why they became anemic to begin with. Iron deficiency anemia is usually treated with iron. some patients end up anemic from surgical blood loss. For religious reasons they may refuse blood transfusions and receive products like this instead. A Hgb of 10.3 is pretty good - but it depend on your history and whether you are experiencing symptoms or if you have a heart condition. It is not possible to diagnose a condition on one lab value or a brief description. It is possible that the physician that said that you do NOT need this may not know your complete picture. It would be very good for you to talk to the doctor that ordered this and explain that this is very costly, do you need this, is this the safest treatment, and what your other options are.

Below is the website excerpt:
Aranesp® is indicated for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure, including patients on dialysis and patients not on dialysis, and for the treatment of anemia in patients with non-myeloid malignancies where anemia is due to the effect of concomitantly administered chemotherapy.

Aranesp® and other erythropoietic therapies may increase the risk of cardiovascular events, including death. The higher risk of cardiovascular events may be associated with higher hemoglobin and/or higher rates of rise of hemoglobin. The hemoglobin level should be managed carefully to avoid exceeding a target level of 12 g/dL.